All the Pandemics

What is a pandemic?

The dictionary defines a pandemic as "a disease prevalent over the whole country or the world."

I can't speak to the whole world, although coronavirus is definitely a pandemic that has affected, and continues to affect, the whole world. But America currently has several simultaneous pandemics. Among them are:

• the coronavirus
• systemic, entrenched racism
• high unemployment
• poverty
• lack of critical thinking 
• unchecked gun violence
• lack of affordable health care
• student debt
• climate change
• integrity, especially of elected officials 
• destruction of the environment
• police brutality
• ignorance 
• hatred

These are the first 14 things to come to mind as I write. I'm sure there are others, and I'm sure some will disagree with the items on this list. Some items on this list are fairly recent, while others have been around for a long time.

Fighting this variety of pandemics will take time, a fundamental change in how we Americans view our world, and several approaches. When some of the American public continue to believe that the coronavirus pandemic is a hoax, refuse to wear masks, and ignore the recommendations of public health officials, I see little that can be done to change their ignorant attitudes. These are the same people who dismiss science. They have made up their minds, and frankly, many are not interested in hearing the truth.

Education can help reduce racism in the country, as children aren't born with racist attitudes. They learn to be racists, most likely from parents or other family members. Including the contributions of African-Americans in science, medicine, economics and other fields-- things that currently are often not taught in schools -- could help as well. Changing such attitudes will be a long, slow process. 

Addressing climate change and destruction of the environment will require a fundamental shift in our attitude toward the planet, and a willingness to make major changes in our way of life. Again, too many are ignorant of the causes and the impacts of climate change, and the greed of corporations makes it very difficult to enact meaningful reforms.  

Finding moral, ethical politicians with integrity will be an uphill battle, as the system is arrayed against any who may have scruples when they enter politics.  Addressing gun violence seems to be a lost cause,as even the most mild attempts to keep weapons out of the hands of the mentally ill are met with cries of "They trying to take our guns! what about the Second Amendment?"

I don't expect to see any meaningful changes in any of these areas in my lifetime. What a sad, sad commentary on what this nation has become.